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June 6, 2009
A Denton Publication
Free
Furry fest
Homeless
Arts
Animals all around at Adk Awareness Habitat Day.
More pets in shelters amid economic downturn.
LPCA to host exhibit by local artist Tom Myott.
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Maroun reels against antiresort letter
Ironman prompts repairs to Route 73 By Matt Bosley matt@denpubs.com KEENE — With one of Essex County’s biggest tourism events on the horizon, outcry for the condition of some major highways is inducing action by the state. The New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced that a 2.5-mile long stretch of Route 73, is scheduled to be re-surfaced beginning in late-June or early-July. The road will be resurfaced between Stagecoach Rock and the beginning of the threelane section west of Keene, known as the Cascades. The project was scheduled after local officials had become concerned about deteriorating road condition for both motorists and for the athletes training and competing in the July 26 Ironman race. James McKenna, president of the Lake Placid/Essex County Visitors Bureau, said the repairs are the result of a tremendous effort from representatives in both state and local government. “A great deal of credit goes to Major Richard Smith, the commander of the Troop "B" State Police headquarters in Ray Brook, for bringing this to the attention of the state, county and local officials as a public safety issue for the athletes and motoring public that share most of the roadways used during the Ironman,” said McKenna. “This road also serves as a 'first impression' of what visitors have when they visit the region." The resurfacing work is scheduled to be done in time for the 11th annual Ironman Triathlon on July 26. The event traditionally brings in 2,200 athletes and their friends and families to the region, generating approximately $10 million in revenue for local businesses. North Elba town supervisor Roby Politi said race organizers had suggested the possibility of the event moving out of Lake Placid due to the poor condition of the roads. With that in mind, the Essex County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution at their June 1 meeting urging the DOT to make repairs
By Chris Morris denpubs@denpubs.com TUPPER LAKE — A Franklin County legislator is up in arms with a letter recently sent to Adirondack residents by an environmental group. Paul Maroun, a Republican from Tupper Lake, said a donation request distributed by the Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks reveals the group’s true intentions regarding the proposed Adirondack Club and Resort, which involves reopening the Big Tupper Ski Area and building hundreds of resort homes on land surrounding Mt. Morris. The letter, signed by association executive director David Gibson, states the group is going to “continue its fight to stop the Adirondack Club and Resort project at Big Tupper.” Maroun said he’s upset because Gibson is part of the mediation group that is attempting to develop a project all sides can live with. “Now we find out that Mr. Gibson and his group have no intention of mediating,” Maroun said. “I don’t think that somebody who’s from
See ROADS, page 8
Concern over the condition of the Cascade Lakes section of Route 73 has prompted the NYSDOT to resurface the 2.5 mile stretch prior to this year’s Lake Placid Ironman Triathlon. Photo by Matt Bosley
See MAROUN, page 8
Fire department elects first female chief By Matt Bosley matt@denpubs.com
Chris Clarke and Bob Petee combine to portray 20 different characters in “Greater Tuna,” The first of four major shows planned for the Pendragon Theater’s summer season. The production opens June 5. Ticket prices for are $20 for adults, $16 for seniors and students, and $10 for those 17 and under. Matinee seats are $12. For more information or to place a reservation, call 891-1854 or e-mail pdragon@northnet.org. Photo submitted
LAKE PLACID — The Lake Placid Volunteer Fire Department is blazing some new trails. Liane Colby was elected as the department’s new chief April 7, and is the first female chief in its 105-year history. Having first begun as a firefighter in 1989, Colby moved from Rensselaer County to Lake Placid in 1994 and joined the fire department there two years later. “When I first wanted to join the fire department, my mom wanted to kill me,” Colby said, “but she let me do it. I just really wanted to help people.” Through her career in law enforcement, Colby had access to valuable training that often crossed over to her capacity as a firefighter. It was some of those extra qualifications that led her colleagues to choose her as a captain and she slowly moved up the ranks to second assistant chief. “I never aspired to be the chief,” she said. “It was just a series of events that put me here.” When former chief Jim Wasson stepped down and first assistant chief Josh Favro took a position as a paid driver for the department, Colby was left as the favored candidate head of the department. “I didn’t really expect to be here,” said Colby. “Jim needed a break and the membership decided I was next in line.”
Her election marks the first time a woman has ever been chosen as fire chief anywhere in Essex County. “I think it says a lot about the department that they are willing to choose the best person for the job regardless of gender,” said New York State Association of Fire Chiefs executive director Thomas LaBelle. LaBelle said more and more women have been joining fire departments in recent years, especially in places where there traditionally haven’t been any. Likewise, the number of female chiefs continues to rise, but it still remains a rare occurrence. “I’d say there are probably less than 100 out of 1,700 fire departments statewide,” said LaBelle. Why is there a rise in the number of female firefighters? LaBelle said it’s because more women are beginning to see it as an option for them and a way to contribute to their community. “Also, the departments have become broader in their vision as to all the different resources that people can bring to the fire department,” he explained, noting that valuable skills like management, team-building, and recruitment are not exclusive to either gender. In Lake Placid alone, there are five women on the department’s roster of 50; still a stark minority, but the chief doesn’t mind. “I’ve never had any problems,” Colby said. “I’ve always gotten along with the guys, and they’ve always backed me.”